"It is a ballet that is not meant to be understand. It's a ballet that is meant to be experienced," Nissinen said. "It's a journey into your own soul with this beautiful blanket, one of the most amazing symphonies ever written, Gustav Mahler's Third Symphony."

"There's just so many levels to Mahler's third," said Lia Cirio, female principal dancer. "With Neumeier's choreography, it's even more enhanced and highlighted."

The ballet is performed without an intermission, an especially big challenge for the male dancers. They've spent hours cross training outside of studio rehearsals to prepare for the all-men first movement, which is 35 minutes long.